Carrie Bradshaw is a fictional character created by author Candace Bushnell, first introduced in her 1997 anthology *Sex and the City*, inspired by Bushnell's New York Observer columns.[1][2] Portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker, she serves as the protagonist of the HBO series *Sex and the City* (1998-2004), chronicling her life as a witty, fashion-forward columnist for the fictional *New York Star* newspaper.[1][2][5][6] Bradshaw's weekly column, also titled *Sex and the City*, draws from her experiences navigating dating, relationships, and gender dynamics in Manhattan, often featuring her close friends Samantha Jones, Miranda Hobbes, and Charlotte York.[1][2][3] Notable romantic entanglements include her on-again, off-again affair with the enigmatic Mr. Big, marked by emotional turbulence, breakups, and eventual marriage in the 2008 film *Sex and the City*, followed by challenges explored in *Sex and the City 2* (2010).[1][2] She resides in a iconic Manhattan apartment, which she renovates and retains as a writing space even after cohabitation.[1] Key achievements include her column's cultural impact, influencing discussions on modern romance and female independence, with Bradshaw embodying optimism, insight, and a party-loving persona—fond of cosmopolitans, Marlboro Lights, and nightlife—despite personal flaws like financial irresponsibility.[3][6] A prequel series, *The Carrie Diaries* (2013-2014), depicts her high school years, further expanding her backstory.[4] Her relevance endures through the *Sex and the City* franchise, notably the Max sequel *And Just Like That...* (2021-present), where Bradshaw continues as a central figure, now a widow navigating new phases of life, relationships, and freelancing for *Vogue*.[6] This ongoing portrayal cements her as an enduring icon of urban singledom and self-discovery. (298 words)